News for Immediate Release
April 8, 2025
POWR announces 2025 Pennsylvania Sojourn Grant Awards
Dallas – The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Pennsylvania River Sojourn Grants.
The Pennsylvania Sojourn Program is administered by POWR in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through funding from the Environmental Stewardship Fund administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
The PA Sojourn Program is nationally unique, distributing grants across the state to local organizations and their sojourn events. These grants support between 10 and 15 paddling events each year, encompassing over 500 river miles and 50+ on-the-water days, offering more than 100 educational programs and engaging over 4,000 people.
Sojourns are not only an outdoor activity but are also an effective tool for raising awareness about our rivers and the issues affecting them, educating, and enhancing community involvement about natural and cultural resources, and promoting and encouraging watershed stewardship. The Sojourn program serves as a bridge to bring our communities to our rivers and streams to educate them, enabling them to become lifelong stewards of these resources. River sojourns offer a different point of view on some of Pennsylvania’s treasured landscapes and historic and cultural assets.
To view a map of sojourns planned statewide this year, click on this link: 2025 River Sojourn Story Map
2025 PA Sojourn Mini-Grantees:
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy for the Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn schedule for June 5 through June 8, 2025.
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the North Branch Sojourn scheduled for July 31 through August 3,2025
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the Hungry for Adventure Sojourn scheduled for August 8 through August 9, 2025.
Endless Mountains Heritage Region for the Youth Heritage Sojourn scheduled for July 10 through July 12, 2025.
French Creek Valley Conservancy for the 2025 Summer Sojourn scheduled for June 14, 2025.
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy for the Perki-Bay Expedition: A Youth Sojourn from Source to Sea scheduled for June 23 through June 27, 2025.
Riverlife for the Colors of the River Sojourn scheduled for July 16; July 23 and July 30, 2025.
Schuylkill River Greenways for the Schuylkill River Sojourn scheduled for June 13 through June 20, 2025.
Shenango River Watchers for the Spring Paddle Fest scheduled for June 7, 2025.
Susquehanna National Heritage Area for the Paddle the Battle Sojourn June 29, 2025.
Swatara Watershed Association for the 35th Swatara Sojourn scheduled for May 3, 2025.
The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership for the Susquehanna Greenway Sojourn Series scheduled for May 3, May 31, June 7, June 19, August 2, August 16, and September 24, 2025.
The Watersmith Guild for the First Waves Regional Series & Aqua Lab Adventures scheduled for May 16, May 28, May 29, June 2, June 3, June 4, June 11, June 12, June 24, June 25, June 30, July 2, July 9, July 23, July 28, July 30, August 4 and August 5, 2025.
Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition for the 2025 Delaware River Sojourn: “Celebrating 30 Years on Sojourn Time – 2025 PA River of the Year scheduled for June 14 through June 20, 2025.
Wayne County Community Foundation for the Lackawaxen River Sojourn scheduled for September 20 through September 21, 2025.
Wildlands Conservancy – Environmental Ed Center for the 29th Annual Lehigh River Sojourn scheduled for June 7 through June 10, 2025.
About POWR
POWR is a statewide non-profit that aims to provide the tools, training, education, and resources that empower community watershed organization leaders and volunteers to protect and restore rivers and streams, advocate for sound water resource management and policies, and facilitate stewardship and enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s waterways. POWR is administered by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
Media contacts:
Janet Sweeney, POWR, 570-718-6507
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